Spray apparatus for use with aircraft



Nov. 21, 1967 KIFOR ET AL 3,353,769 1 SPRAY APPARATUS FOR USE WITHAIRCRAFT- Filed Sept. 10, 1965 INVENTORS ORLEY R. BOURLAND JR. HARRY T.KIFOR BY 2 57 g ATTORNEY United States Patent the Army Filed Sept. 10,1965, Ser. No. 486,441 7 Claims. (Cl. 244-136) This invention relates toa spray apparatus particularly adapted for use with aircraft, and morespecifically to a spray apparatus which can utilize standard 55-gallondrums alone or in combination according to the payload carrying weightof a particular aircraft.

Heretofore it has been known that there have been many and various waysto spray liquid from aircraft such as used in dusting crops withfertilizers or insecticides. Also, certain liquid spray systems areutilized in sky writing techniques. There may also be militaryapplications for spraying liquids from aircraft, such as biological orchemical agents, defoliation materials, and the like. These prior artapparatus have been difficult to handle, complex, and relativelyexpensive since each system had to have a single tank designedcompletely for the particular aircraft to which it was associated.Further, the liquid utilized in these prior art systems also had to becarried separately in normal shipping barrels to be transferred in asuitable manner into the single tank of the system. Thus, the necessityfor various size single tanks associated with elaborate sprayingequipment is a costly, inflexible, and inefficient operation.

Therefore, it is the general object of the present invention to avoidand overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of/and objections toprior art practices by the provisions of a spray apparatus adapted foruse with aircraft wherein standard SS-gallon drum liquid shippingcontainers are arranged in end-toend relationship in selective numbersaccording to the payload carrying weight of the particular aircraft,with the containers themselves providing the carrying tank features.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved sprayingapparatus for association with aircraft where standard 55-gallon drumshipping containers are arranged in end to end relationship withaerodynamic fairing at each end thereof to provide aerodynamicstability, and associated with an air compression system to selectivelyforce the liquid in the drums out discharge nozzles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray ing apparatusfor association with aircraft which is extremely simple, adaptable toaircraft of various payload capacities, inexpensive to manufacture, andextremely reliable in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unique circularclamping ring for securing standard 55-gallon drum liquid shippingcontainers in aligned end to end relationship, with further connectionsto admit air pressure into the drums and discharge liquid therefrom in aspray.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray apparatus forassociation with aircraft having an aerodynamically faired front endencapsulating a ram air turbine which provides the power to drive an aircompressor, which air compressor thus provides the power to dischargeliquid from the apparatus in a spray.

The aforesaid objects of the invention and other objects which willbecome apparent as the description procecds are achieved by providing ina spray tank apparatus for use with aircraft, the combination of aplurality of separate SS-gallon liquid carrying drums, means to clampthe drums in end to end aligned relation, a propeller 3,353,769 PatentedNov. 21, 1967 driven air compressor mounted in aerodynamically fairedrelation at one end of the aligned drums, means to selectively admit airfrom the compressor into the drums, nozzle means to discharge liquidfrom the drums when air is admitted thereinto, and aerodynamicstabilization fairing mounted at the other end of the drums.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment ofthe invention which combines five 55-gallon drums;

FIGURE 2 is a slightly enlarged perspective View of one of the standardSS-gallon shipping drums utilized in the combination of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view of one of theclamping rings taken on line 3-3 of FIG- URE 1.

With reference to the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 ofthe drawings, the numeral 10 indicates generally a spray apparatusparticularly designed for aircraft which basically comprises a pluralityof standard SS-gallon drums, each indicated generally by the numeral 12,and held in aligned end to end relationship by a plurality of clampingrings 14. The clamping rings 14 are in turn supported along the topsurface thereof by a pair of substantially parallel longitudinallydirected structural tubular members 16 and 18 which are preferablybroken into segmented sections and removably received in fluid tightrelationship in respective raised flange portions 16A and 18A associatedwith each of the rings 14. Normally, these tube 16 and 18 will be intension because they are in effect carrying the weight of the drums 12.In order to support the bottom side of the rings 14, a longitudinallyextending tubular structural member 20 is pro vided in segmented fluidtight relationship to raised flanges 20A associated with each of therings 14. Normally this bottom member 20 is designed for compressionloads.

In order to provide proper aerodynamic flight characteristic to theapparatus 10, a forward fairing tank, indicated generally by the numeral22 is mounted to the forward end of the aligned tanks 12, while a rearfairing tank 24 is mounted to the rearward end. Normally, these tanks 22and 24 are lightweight and easily connected to the appropriatestructural frame members 16, 18 and 20, and the respective ring 14.

As a means for making the apparatus 10 essentially self contained andnot reliable On any aircraft system, a ram air turbine 26 is mountedwithin the front fairing 22, to be driven by air striking a propeller28, as the aircraft carrying the apparatus moves through the air andutilizing a scoop type air injection 30, all in the usual manner. Theturbine 26 is utilized to drive a conventional air compressor 32, whichgenerally is also mounted within the front fairing tank 22. Theinvention contemplates that the air output from the compressor 32 willbe fed into one or both of the top tubular structural members 16 and 18.

In order to mount the entire apparatus 10 in its assembled condition toan aircraft, a pair of mounting blocks 34 and 36 are appropriatelyreceived on the structural members 16 and 18 at the center of gravity ofthe assembly which is about the mid section of the entire apparatus 10.These blocks 34 and 36 may carry appropriate pad eyes or other mountingsupports to be received in complementary mounted relationship beneaththe wing, body, or fuselage section of an aircraft.

FIGURE 2 represents one of the drums 12 of FIGURE 1 in a detachedcondition and shows openings 38 and 40 on one end thereof. Normally indrums of this type, the openings 38 and 40 will be covered by someappropriate screw out or knock out closure means. The opening 40 willnormally be the pour opening for the liquid contained 53 in the drum 12while the opening 38 will allow air to replace the liquid as it isremoved, thus preventing a vacuum which retards the flow of the fiuidout of the drum or collapses the drum. Each drum has a raised lip 12Aaround each end thereof, all in the usual manner.

One of the essential structural components of the invention is in thecircular shaped clamping rings 14. FIGURE 3 illustrates in enlargedvertical cross section a typical ring 14. Note the relationship of thetubular structural members 16, 18 and with respect to the raised flanges16A, 18A and 20A, respectively. A plurality of small are shaped bracketclamps 42, held in place by appropriate bolts 44, are utilize-d to holdthe lip 12A of respective drums 12 in fixed relationship relative totheir appropriate clamping ring 14. Each of the openings 38 and isprovided with a positive opening and closing valve 38A and 40A, whichare controlled by handles 38B and 46B, respectively. In this particularinstance, the tubular structural member 16 carries the air pressure flowfrom the compressor 32 and is connected to the valve 38A by anappropriate flexible rubber connecting tube 46. When the valve 38A isopened, air pressure from the member 16 is passed through the line 46and into the drum 12. The invention contemplates that whenever the valve33A is opened, the corresponding valve 40A must be also opened, so thatthe air pressure admitted into the drum forces the fluid or liquid inthe drum out through the valve 40A and in substantially equal amountsthrough flexible rubber discharge hoses 48 and and thus to respectivenozzles 48A and 50A. Naturally, the actual opening and closing of thevalves 33A and 40A may be appropriately controlled from the cockpit ofthe aircraft to thereby control when spraying will take place. In thesame manner, the rotative action of the ram air turbine 26 and propeller28 may be controlled from the aircraft cabin to prevent wear and tear onthese parts during routine flying operation of the aircraft.

If it is desired to simplify controls, the valve 40A may be air actuatedfrom a flexible rubber hose 52 connected to the valve 38A, thusautomatically insuring positive opening operation of the valve 40A whenthe valve 38A is actuated and receiving air under pressure. A similarautomatic operation of the two valves will occur upon closing.

Thus, it should be understood that the spraying apparatus 10 iscompletely flexible in that any number of gallon drums 12 may beincorporated in the overall combination, this number being dependentupon the payload carrying weight of the particular aircraft. Each drummay be easily added by utilizing another appropriate clamping ring 14with the associated structural carrying tubes 16, 18 and 20. Naturally,the front fairing tank 22 and rearward fairing tank 24 will always beincorporated regardless of the number of drums 12. The lifting blocks 34and 36 will always be mounted about the center of longitudinal balanceof the combined apparatus. It is thus seen that a very simple, highlyflexible, yet inexpensive spraying apparatus has been shown anddescribed which will reduce costs, logistics, and the complexityconcerning the problems of transporting large quantities of fuel, water,herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers, biological and chemical agents,etc. while permitting payloads to be built up to match the aircraftpayload capability, there by eliminating the requirements for varioussize single tanks. The existing openings in standard 55-gallon liquidcarrying drums are utilized With the insertion of valves 38A and 4tlAthereinto. The flexible tubing associated with the valves readilypermits adjustability in this operation. The spraying is readilycontrolled from the aircraft cabin by controlling the actuation of thevalves, as well as the operation of the ram air turbine.

Even though the invention has been described as being specificallydesigned for SS-gallon shipping drums, it should be understood thatdrums of any size, or shape may be utilized in this concept. It shouldbe understood that while the valves 38A and 40A associated with each 3respective drum may be energized separately so that the contents of eachdrum may be selectively discharged, the invention contemplates that allvalves will be opened simultaneously so there is a uniform dischargefrom all drums to thereby insure a balanced load on the aircraft at alltimes. If the use of separate nozzles 48A and 50A with each ring 14 isnot desirable, the bottom support member 20 may receive the fluiddischarge and act as a header with an appropriate discharge nozzleassociated therewith.

While in accordance with the Patent Statutes only one best knownembodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described indetail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto or thereby, but that the inventive scope is defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a spray tank apparatus for use with aircraft, the combination of aplurality of cylindrically shaped tank drum shipping containers forliquid,

circular ring means clamping the containers in aligned end to endrelationship,

frame means connecting and supporting the ring means,

an aerodynamically faired ram air turbine connected to the frame meansat one end of the aligned containers, and driven by passing through theearths atmosphere,

an air compressor mounted in aerodynamically faired relation to theturbine and driven thereby,

means to selectively introduce the air produced by the compressor intothe containers,

spray nozzles associated with each container and coordinated with theselective introduction of air into the respective containers todischarge liquid from the containers in a spray, and

aerodynamic fairing means connected to the other end of the alignedcontainers to stabilize the aerodynamic flight characteristics of theapparatus.

2. A spray tank apparatus according to claim 1 where at least a portionof the frame means acts as a header to transmit the air from the aircompressor, and operates in conjunction with the means to selectivelyintroduce the air produced by the compressor into the containers.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 where the circular ring means havevalves associated in flexible relationship therewith for connecting theair from the-compressor to the containers, and the spray nozzles to thecontainers.

4. In a spray tank apparatus for use with aircraft the combination of aplurality of separate SS-gallon liquid carrying drums, frame means toclamp the drums in end to end aligned relation,

a propeller driven air compressor mounted in aerodynamically fairedrelationship to the frame means at one end of the aligned drums,

means to selectively admit air from the compressor into the drums,

nozzle means to discharge liquid in a spray from the drums when air isadmitted thereto, and

aerodynamic stabilization fairing mounted at the other end of the drums.

5. In a spray tank apparatus for use with aircraft, the

combination of a plurality of similar drum shipping containers forliquid,

ring means clamping the containers in aligned end to end relationship,

frame means connecting and supporting the ring means,

an aerodynamically faired ram air turbine driven by passing through theearths atmosphere connected to the frame means at one end of the alignedcontainers,

an air compressor mounted in aerodynamically faired relation to theturbine and driven thereby,

pipe means connecting the air output of the compressor to the ringmeans, valve means controlling the flow of the air output of thecompressor from the ring means into the containers,

spray nozzles associated with each container and coordinated with theflow of air into the respective containers to discharge liquid from thecontainers in a spray, and

aerodynamic fairing means connected to the frame means at the other endof the aligned containers to stabilize the aerodynamic flightcharacteristics of the apparatus.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 where separate valve means alsoconnect the liquid output of the containers to the nozzle and Where allthe valve means are mounted in flexible and adjustable relationship tothe ring means.

7. In a spray tank apparatus for use with aircraft the combination of aplurality of separate 55 gallon liquid carrying drums,

frame means to clamp the drums in end to end aligned relation,

a propeller driven air compressor mounted in aerodynamically fairedrelationship to the frame means at one end of the aligned drums,

valve means to control the admission of air from the compressor into thedrums,

nozzle means to discharge liquid in a spray from the drums when air isadmitted thereto,

aerodynamic stabilization fairing mounted at the other end of the drums,and

mounting means at about the longitudinal center of bal ance of thecombination.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,061,247 10/1962 Hyde 244-136MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

B. BELKIN, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A SPRAY TANK APPARATUS FOR USE WITH AIRCRAFT, THE COMBINATION OF APLURALITY OF CYLINDRICALLY SHAPED TANK DRUM SHIPPING CONTAINERS FORLIQUID, CIRCULAR RING MEANS CLAMPING THE CONTAINERS IN ALIGNED END TOEND RELATIONSHIP, FRAME MEANS CONNECTING AND SUPPORTING THE RING MEANS,AN AERODYNAMICALLY FAIRED RAM AIR TUBINE CONNECTED TO THE FRAME MEANS ATONE END OF THE ALIGNED CONTAINERS, AND DRIVEN BY PASSING THROUGH THEEARTH''S ATMOSPHERE, AN AIR COMPRESSOR MOUNTED IN AERODYNAMICALLY FAIREDRELATION TO THE TURBINE AND DRIVEN THEREBY, MEANS TO SELECTIVELYINTRODUCE THE AIR PRODUCED BY THE COMPRESSOR INTO THE CONTAINERS, SPRAYNOZZLES ASSOCIATED WITH EACH CONTAINER AN COORDINATED WITH THE SELECTIVEINTRODUCTION OF AIR INTO THE RESPECTIVE CONTAINERS TO DISCHARGE LIQUIDFROM THE CONTAINERS IN A SPRAY, AND AERODYNAMIC FAIRING MEANS CONNECTEDTO THE OTHER END OF THE ALIGNED CONTAINERS TO STABILIZE THE AERODYNAMICFLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE APPARATUS.